Apparel with reduced friction zones

ABSTRACT

An article of apparel may include a base layer and a cover layer. The cover layer may be stitchlessly-secured to an exterior surface of the base layer and positioned to extend along a side area and from a pelvic region to a leg region of the base layer. A width of the cover layer may be greater in the pelvic region than the first leg region. In some configurations, a frictional resistance of the exterior surface of the base layer may be greater than a frictional resistance of a surface of the cover layer.

PRIORITY

This application claims the benefit of priority to, and is acontinuation application of, U.S. application Ser. No. 14/709,145 (filedon May 11, 2015), which is a continuation of U.S. applicaton Ser. No.12/163,502 filed Jun. 27, 2008 and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,027,169.The entireties of the aforementioned applications are herebyincorporated by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

Many athletic activities involve actions that include sliding againstthe ground or another playing surface. In baseball and softball, forexample, an athlete may slide when approaching a base in order to avoidcontact with a member of an opposing team. In soccer, an athlete mayslide to kick a soccer ball away from a member of an opposing team. InAmerican football, an athlete (e.g., a quarterback) may slide whenpossessing a football to avoid being tackled by a member of an opposingteam. Accordingly, sliding may be utilized as an effective offensive ordefensive action in a variety of athletic activities.

Although sliding against the ground may be executed in a variety ofways, a common method of sliding is performed by inducing at least oneof the legs to extend outward in front of the athlete. Moreparticularly, the athlete may be running or otherwise moving in aparticular direction. The athlete then lowers toward the ground suchthat the legs extend outward in front of the athlete and in thedirection of movement. As the athlete transitions between running andsliding, the primary point of contact between the athlete and the groundshifts from the feet to the hip area. That is, the primary point ofcontact when sliding may be the area corresponding with a joint betweenthe femur and the pelvis (i.e., the femoral joint). Other portions ofthe athlete, including sides of the legs, hands, and arms may alsocontact the ground.

An athlete may incur a variety of injuries from sliding. As an example,impact between the body of the athlete (e.g., at the femoral joint) andthe ground may cause bruising or other types of compressive injuries. Asanother example, clothing may rub against skin of the athlete (e.g., atthe femoral joint) and cause friction burns or abrasive injuries.Although either of these injuries may occur from sliding, athletescommonly perform slides and risk these injuries during athleticcompetitions or practice sessions.

SUMMARY

An article of apparel is disclosed below as including a base layer and acover layer. The base layer has a pelvic region, a first leg regionextending from the pelvic region, and a second leg region extending fromthe pelvic region. In addition, the base layer has an interior surfacefor contacting a wearer and an opposite exterior surface that faces awayfrom the wearer. The cover layer is secured to the exterior surface ofthe base layer and positioned to extend from a side area of the pelvicregion to a side area of the first leg region. A width of the coverlayer may be greater in the pelvic region than the first leg region. Insome configurations, a frictional resistance of the exterior surface ofthe base layer is greater than a frictional resistance of a surface ofthe cover layer.

The advantages and features of novelty characterizing aspects of theinvention are pointed out with particularity in the appended claims. Togain an improved understanding of the advantages and features ofnovelty, however, reference may be made to the following descriptivematter and accompanying figures that describe and illustrate variousconfigurations and concepts related to the invention.

FIGURE DESCRIPTIONS

The foregoing Summary and the following Detailed Description will bebetter understood when read in conjunction with the accompanyingfigures.

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of an individual wearing a firstarticle of apparel.

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the first article of apparel.

FIGS. 3 and 4 are side elevational views of the first article ofapparel.

FIG. 5 is a rear elevational view of the first article of apparel.

FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view of the first article ofapparel, as defined by section line 6-6 in FIG. 2.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the individual performing a slidingaction while wearing the first article of apparel.

FIGS. 8A-8F are side elevational views of additional configurations ofthe first article of apparel.

FIG. 9 is a front elevational view of a second article of apparel.

FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of the second article of apparel.

FIG. 11 is a partial cross-sectional view of the second article ofapparel, as defined by section line 11-11 in FIG. 9.

FIG. 12 is a front elevational view of another configuration of thefirst article of apparel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following discussion and accompanying figures disclose variousarticles of apparel. With reference to FIG. 1, an individual 10 isdepicted as wearing an article of apparel 100 with the generalconfiguration of a shorts-type undergarment, but may have theconfiguration of other types of garments. Although apparel 100 may beworn under other articles of apparel, apparel 100 may be worn alone, maybe exposed, or may be worn over other articles of apparel. Accordingly,the configuration of apparel 100 and the manner in which apparel 100 isworn by individual 10 may vary significantly.

Apparel 100 is depicted individually in FIGS. 2-5 as including a baselayer 110 and a pair of cover layers 120 that are secured to base layer110. Whereas base layer 110 imparts the general configuration of theshorts-type undergarment to apparel 100, cover layers 120 impartrelatively low friction areas to apparel 100. As discussed in theBackground section above, an athlete may incur a variety of injuriesfrom sliding, including friction burns or abrasive injuries that arisewhen clothing rubs against skin of the athlete (e.g., at the femoraljoint and sides of the legs). Cover layers 120 are located on base layer110 at positions that correspond with the femoral joints and sides ofthe legs of individual 10 (or other individual wearing apparel 100) toreduce the degree to which base layer 110 causes friction burns orabrasive injuries at the femoral joints and legs during sliding.

Base layer 110 defines a pelvic region 111 and a pair of leg regions112. Whereas pelvic region 111 has a configuration that covers portionsof a pelvis of individual 10, leg regions 112 extend downward and areconfigured to cover portions of legs of individual 10. An upper area ofpelvic region 111 defines a waist opening 113, and lower areas of legregions 112 define a pair of leg openings 114. Base layer 110 alsoincludes a front area 115, an opposite rear area 116, and a pair of sideareas 117. Regions 111-112 and areas 115-117 are not intended todemarcate precise regions and areas of base layer 110. Rather, regions111-112 and areas 115-117 are intended to represent general portions andareas of base layer 110 to aid in the following discussion.

A variety of materials and construction methods may be utilized for baselayer 110. As an example of one configuration, base layer 110 may beformed from a plurality of textile elements that are stitched orotherwise joined together to form pelvic region 111 and leg regions 112.Although the textile elements forming a majority of pelvic region 111and leg regions 112 may include materials that stretch to conform withthe shape of individual 10, an area that circumscribes waist opening 113(i.e., a waistband) may include a material that stretches to a greaterdegree. In other configurations, base layer 110 may be knitted as aone-piece element that does not include seams or other discontinuities.In further configurations, a majority of base layer 110 may be knittedas a one-piece element, but a separate waistband may be subsequentlyadded. Accordingly, the configuration of base layer 110 may vary toinclude a variety of conventional or non-conventional designs.

Cover layers 120 are secured to an exterior surface of base layer 110and located on side areas 117 and at positions that correspond with thefemoral joints and sides of the legs. As noted above, cover layers 120impart relatively low friction areas to apparel 100. When individual 10performs a slide, cover layers 120 permit other articles of apparel(e.g., pants covering apparel 100) to move relative to apparel 100. If,for example, other articles of apparel catch upon apparel 100 and induceapparel 100 to move across the skin of individual 10, then apparel 100may cause friction burns or abrasive injuries at areas of contact withindividual 10. The relatively low friction areas imparted by coverlayers 120, however, reduce the degree to which the other articles ofapparel catch upon apparel 100. That is, cover layers 120 impartrelatively low friction areas to apparel 100 at the femoral joint andsides of the legs, thereby reducing the degree to which apparel 100 maycause individual 10 to incur friction burns or abrasive injuries.

While performing a slide, as depicted in FIG. 7, a side of at least oneof the legs of individual 10 is in contact with the ground, but theprimary point of contact between individual 10 and the ground may be thearea corresponding with the femoral joint. Each of cover layers 120extend from an upper area of pelvic region 111 to a lower area of one ofleg regions 112, thereby being positioned in the area of contact withthe ground. The widths of cover layers 120 are, however, greater inpelvic region 111 than in leg regions 112. Cover layers may, therefore,taper between pelvic region 111 and leg regions 112. In thisconfiguration, cover layers 120 exhibit greater widths in areascorresponding with the femoral joints. Accordingly, cover layers 120 arepositioned to correspond with the area of contact with the ground, butwider areas of cover layers 120 correspond with the femoral joints inorder to also cover the primary point of contact with the ground. Forexample, as depicted in FIGS. 3, 4, 8A and 8B, the cover layer 120 mayinclude a posterior edge 125 having a second apex portion 127 forcovering a lateral gluteal region of a wearer. Additionally, the coverlayer 120 may include an anterior edge 135 having a first apex portion137 for covering a lateral thigh region of a wearer, the first apexportion 137 being centrally located relative to a length anterior edge135.

During a slide, individual 10 may also be oriented such that a lateralarea of the gluteus maximus muscle is in contact with the ground, alsoas depicted in FIG. 7. That is, a portion of the buttocks may also be incontact with the ground. As a result, portions of cover layers 120 arelocated in or proximal to rear area 116. More particularly, a majorityof the areas of cover layers 120 are located in or proximal to rear area116, rather than in front area 115. Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, forexample, cover layers 120 extend rearward and around rear area 116 tofurther correspond with the area of contact with the ground.

Based upon the above discussion, each of cover layers 120 are depictedas having (a) a position corresponding with the femoral joints and sidesof the legs, (b) a tapered configuration, (c) greater width in the areascorresponding with the femoral joints, and (d) greater coverage in reararea 116 than front area 115. Given these parameters, the specificshapes of cover layers 120 may vary significantly. As depicted in thefigures, for example, cover layers 120 have shapes that resemble thenumeral nine (i.e., “9”) with three apertures 121. That is, cover layers120 each have a generally bulbous upper area 122 that defines the threeapertures 121, and cover layers 120 each have an extended and narrowerlower area 123. An advantage of apertures 121 is that the breathabilityof cover layers 120 is enhanced, thereby permitting moisture to escapefrom within apparel 100.

Although the configuration of covers layers 120 discussed above providesa suitable configuration for cover layers 120, a variety of otherconfigurations may also be utilized. In some configurations, apertures121 may be absent from cover layers 120, as depicted in FIG. 8A. As analternative, cover layers 120 may define a single, larger aperture 121,as depicted in FIG. 8B. The overall shape may also vary such that coverlayers 120 exhibit generally symmetrical shapes, such as triangular andrectangular, as depicted in FIGS. 8C and 8D. In some configurations,cover layers 120 may be formed from a plurality of discrete areas thatimpart the general shape discussed above, as depicted in FIG. 8E.Similarly, cover layers 120 may also be formed from discrete strips ofmaterial, as depicted in FIG. 8F. Accordingly, the specificconfiguration of cover layers 120 may vary to include a variety ofshapes that impart any one or all of (a) a position corresponding withthe femoral joints and sides of the legs, (b) a tapered configuration,(c) greater width in the areas corresponding with the femoral joints,and (d) greater coverage in rear area 116 than front area 115.

Although stitching may be utilized to join cover layers 120 to baselayer 110, various bonding methods may also be utilized. That is, anadhesive or thermobonding process may be utilized to seamlessly-joincover layers 120 to base layer 110. As depicted in the cross-section ofFIG. 6, seamlessly-joining cover layers 120 to base layer 110 has anadvantage of reducing the number of discontinuities in the areas ofcover layers 120. In some configurations, the material forming coverlayers 120 may be printed (e.g., screen printed), molded, or otherwiseapplied to the surface of base layer 110.

A variety of materials may be utilized for cover layers 120, includingpolymer sheets, textiles, and polymer-coated textiles, for example. Asnoted above, cover layers 120 impart relatively low friction areas toapparel 100. Materials that generally have lesser friction than baselayer 110 may, therefore, be utilized for cover layers 120. As examples,cover layers 120 may be formed from a textile that is coated withpolytetrafluoroethylene (e.g., TEFLON), or cover layers 120 may beformed from a two-layer polyurethane film or other polymer filmssupplied by BEMIS ASSOCIATES, Inc. of Shirley, Mass., United States. Inaddition, cover layers 120 may be formed from polyamide, polyester,polyolefin, or vinyl films that are bonded or otherwise secured to baselayer 110. Accordingly, a variety of materials may be utilized for coverlayers 120.

An article of apparel 200 is depicted in FIGS. 9 and 10 as including abase layer 210 and a pair of cover layers 220 that are secured to baselayer 210. Whereas base layer 210 imparts the general configuration ofthe shorts-type undergarment to apparel 200, cover layers 220 impartrelatively low friction areas and cushioning areas to apparel 200. Asdiscussed in the Background section above, an athlete may incur avariety of injuries from sliding, including (a) friction burns orabrasive injuries that arise when clothing rubs against skin of theathlete (e.g., at the femoral joint) and (b) bruising or other types ofcompressive injuries that arise during impact between the body of theathlete (e.g., at the femoral joint) and the ground. As with apparel100, cover layers 220 are located on base layer 210 at positions thatcorrespond with the femoral joints and sides of the legs of individual10 (or other individual wearing apparel 100) to reduce the degree towhich base layer 210 causes friction burns or abrasive injuries at thefemoral joints and legs during sliding. Additionally, apparel 200incorporates a pair of cushioning elements 230 that impart cushioning toreduce the probability that bruising or other types of compressiveinjuries arise during sliding.

Any of the materials and construction methods discussed above for baselayer 110 and cover layers 120 may be utilized for apparel 200.Cushioning elements 230, which are located between cover layers 220 andbase layer 210, as depicted in FIG. 11, may be formed from a variety ofgenerally compressible materials. For example, cushioning elements 230may be formed from a layer of polymer foam material (e.g., polyurethaneor ethylvinylacetate), or cushioning elements 230 may be formed fromfluid-filled structures.

Cover layers 220 and cushioning elements 230 are depicted as having (a)a position corresponding with the femoral joints and sides of the legs,(b) a tapered configuration, (c) greater width in the areascorresponding with the femoral joints, and (d) greater coverage in arear area than a front area of apparel 200. Given these parameters, thespecific shapes of cover layers 220 and cushioning elements 230 may varysignificantly. As depicted in the figures, for example, cover layers 220and cushioning elements 230 have shapes that resemble the numeral nine(i.e., “9”) without an aperture, but may also include one or moreapertures. In other configurations, the shapes of cover layers 220 andcushioning elements 230 may be similar to any of the configurationsdepicted in FIGS. 8A-8F. Although edges of cushioning elements 230 aredepicted as being spaced inward from edges of cover layers 220, therebypermitting the edges of cover layers 220 to join directly with baselayer 210, the edges of cushioning elements 230 may be flush with theedges of cover layers 220.

Although stitching may be utilized to join base layer 210, cover layers220, and cushioning elements 230 to each other, various molding orbonding methods may also be utilized. That is, an adhesive orthermobonding process may be utilized to seamlessly-join the elements.As depicted in the cross-section of FIG. 11, seamlessly-joining theelements has an advantage of reducing the number of discontinuities inthe areas of cover layers 220 and cushioning elements 230.

Apparel 100 and apparel 200 are depicted as being a shorts-typeundergarments. With respect to apparel 100, for example, the lengths ofleg regions 112 may extend to the knees or ankles of individual 10, orleg regions 112 may be absent. As an example, FIG. 12 depicts aconfiguration of apparel 100 wherein leg regions 112 extend furtherdownward and would extend beyond the knees of individual 10 when apparel100 is worn.

The invention is disclosed above and in the accompanying figures withreference to a variety of configurations. The purpose served by thedisclosure, however, is to provide an example of the various featuresand concepts related to the invention, not to limit the scope of theinvention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize that numerousvariations and modifications may be made to the configurations describedabove without departing from the scope of the present invention, asdefined by the appended claims.

1. An article of apparel comprising: a base layer having a pelvicregion, a first leg region extending from the pelvic region, and asecond leg region extending from the pelvic region, the base layerhaving an interior surface and an opposite exterior surface that facesaway from the interior surface, and the base layer being formed from atextile material; and a cover layer at least partially secured to thebase layer, the cover layer comprising a plurality of discrete elementswhich define a collective shape, wherein the base layer separates eachof the plurality of discrete elements, and wherein the collective shapetapers from a superior portion of the article of apparel to an inferiorportion of the article of apparel.
 2. The article of apparel of claim 1,wherein at least one the plurality of discrete elements has an edgehaving a first end and a second end, the first end positioned moreanterior than the second end.
 3. The article of apparel of claim 1,wherein a frictional resistance of the exterior surface of the baselayer is greater than a frictional resistance of a surface of the coverlayer.
 4. The article of apparel of claim 1, wherein one of theplurality of discrete elements is positioned on a lateral thigh regionof a wearer, when the article of apparel is donned.
 5. The article ofapparel of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of discrete elementscomprises a shape selected from a group consisting of circular,rectangular, square, triangular, oval, or pill-shaped.
 6. The article ofapparel of claim 1, wherein the collective shape has a greater width inthe areas corresponding with the femoral joints of a wearer.
 7. Thearticle of apparel of claim 1, wherein the plurality of discreteelements have a greater surface area toward an anterior portion of thegarment and a lesser surface area toward a posterior portion of thegarment.
 8. An article of apparel comprising: a base layer having apelvic region, a first leg region extending from the pelvic region, anda second leg region extending from the pelvic region, the base layerhaving an interior surface and an opposite exterior surface that facesaway from the interior surface, and the base layer being formed from atextile material; a cushioning layer secured to the base layer, thecushioning layer providing impact attenuation properties; and a coverlayer at least partially secured to the cushioning layer, the coverlayer comprising a plurality of discrete elements, wherein each of theplurality of discrete elements is secured to the exterior surface of thebase layer, and wherein at least a portion of the base layer separateseach of the plurality of discrete elements.
 9. The article of apparel ofclaim 8, wherein the plurality of discrete elements comprises at least afirst subset of discrete elements having a first shape, and a secondsubset of discrete elements having a second shape.
 10. The article ofapparel of claim 9, wherein the first subset of discrete elements has afirst edge and a second edge, the first edge aligned parallel to thesecond edge.
 11. The article of apparel of claim 9, wherein the secondsubset of discrete elements has an edge having a first end and a secondend, the first end positioned more anterior than the second end.
 12. Thearticle of apparel of claim 11, wherein the edge of the second subset ofdiscrete elements forms an acute angle with the first edge of the firstsubset of discrete elements.
 13. The article of apparel of claim 8,wherein the cover layer is formed from a single material selected from agroup consisting of (a) a polymer-coated textile, (b) a two-layerpolymer film, and (c) a polyamide, polyester, polyolefin, or vinyl film,wherein the cover layer is bonded directly to the base layer without anintermediate layer positioned between the cover layer and the baselayer.
 14. The article of apparel of claim 8, wherein each of theplurality of discrete elements is stitchlessly-secured to the exteriorsurface of the base layer, and wherein the plurality of discreteelements form a shape having a posterior apex portion.
 15. The articleof apparel of claim 8, wherein each of the plurality of discreteelements is positioned on a lateral surface of the article of apparel.16. An article of apparel comprising: a base layer having a pelvicregion, a first leg region extending from the pelvic region, and asecond leg region extending from the pelvic region, the base layerhaving an interior surface and an opposite exterior surface that facesaway from the interior surface, and the base layer being formed from atextile material; a cover layer at least partially secured to the baselayer, the cover layer comprising a plurality of discrete elements, theplurality of discrete elements further comprising one or more superiordiscrete elements and one or more inferior discrete elements, whereinthe base layer separates the one or more superior discrete element andthe one or more inferior discrete elements; and a cushioning layerpositioned between the one or more superior discrete elements of thecover layer and the base layer, the cushioning layer providing impactattenuation properties.
 17. The article of apparel of claim 16, whereinthe plurality of inferior discrete elements have a greater width in theareas corresponding with the femoral joints of a wearer.
 18. The articleof apparel of claim 16, wherein the shape of the plurality of inferiordiscrete elements is selected from a group consisting of circular,rectangular, square, triangular, oval, or pill-shaped.
 19. The articleof apparel of claim 16, wherein the cover layer is formed by screenprinting or molding.
 20. The article of apparel of claim 19, wherein thecover layer is formed from a two-layer polyurethane film and coated withpolytetrafluoroethylene.